Film Profiles

Amar Akbar Anthony (1977) - Looking at Manmohan Desai's "Amar Akbar Anthony" (1977) The 'Hero' In Bollywood (times three) and the heart(s) of Indian popular film.

Amar Prem (1971) - Looking at song picturization in Bollywood films - (Song picturization in Bollywood films are a unique form of cinema. It is a highly specialized art form that comprizes many unique talents, from composers, lyric writers, playback singers, actors, and film crew, who all work together in order to make that great song that 'everyone' on the streets is humming.) + Synopsis: Brought to the city by her uncle (Madan Puri) who promises to get her a well-paying job, Pushpa (Sharmila Tagore) finds herself sold to a brothel. Anand (Rajesh Khanna) a wealthy young man who cannot get on with his wife, falls in love with Pushpa and visits her often. But they are forced to go their separate ways...Years later, Anand finds Pushpa scrounging a living by washing dishes. Now a widower, he offers her a comfortable life..

Ankur [1974] - Looking at Shyam Benegal's "Ankur" [1974] and 'Middle Cinema', The 'art movie' alternative to Bollywood in Hindi film.+ Synopsis: Ankur is the story of an extra-marital affair that develops between a village girl (Shabana Azmi) married to a deaf-mute potter (Sadhu Meher) and a rich farmer (Ananth Nag) who is married to an immature girl. The film is a must watch for the unusual story line and for the excellent acting by Shabana Azmi, and Ananth Nag (they won National Awards for Best Actor and Best Actress Awards, respectively).

Anupama [1966] - Looking at Hrishikesh Mukherjee's "Anupama" (1966). The beautiful sadness and exquisite sentimentality of the quiet side of Bollywood. + Synopsis: Mohan Sharma (Tarun Bose) hates his newborn daughter Uma (Sharmila Tagore), as he holds her responsible for his wife/her mother's death. He makes his hate very obvious during the day but in the night when he drinks himself senseless, he showers Uma with affection. This creates havoc with her mental make-up and she grows into a young woman, who lives in a shell, that is hard to break. Her gregarious friend Anita (Shashikala) tries hard to help her to get over her painful shyness. The person who ultimately succeeds in influencing her is Ashok (Dharmendra), Anita's fiance's friend, a writer who falls in love with Uma. Ashok writes a book called 'Anupama' in which he projects what can and should be. Uma understands the message and decides to change herself.

Anupama [1966] and 'Point of View' - Looking at Hrishikesh Mukherjee's sophisticated use of filmic Point Of View in "Anupama".

Bluff Master (1963) - Looking at one of the masters of Hindi Popular Cinema's early films. Manmohan Desai's "Bluff Master" (1963).

Bobby (1974) - Looking at Raj Kapoor's Bollywood classic "Bobby" - Youth, Style, Fashion, and the influence of filmed youth culture on a nation in transition. (With over 40 still photo captures from the film.)

Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1972) - Taking a critical look at Dev Anand's Bollywood cult classic, "Hare Rama, Hare Krishna".

Jewel Thief (1967) - The 'Exotic' West - Looking at D.K. Desai's set design in Dev & Vijay Anand's "Jewel Thief" (1967). (With 32 still captures from the film.) + Synopsis: A police commissioner's son finds himself mistaken for a famous jewel thief named Amar. A woman accuses him of having taken advantage of her and promised to marry her and she is supported in her claim by her brother. To clear his name, he masquerades as Amar while the real Amar is pretending to be the commissioner's son. The truth of the convoluted plot is not revealed till the very end.

Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000) - Looking at a modern 'masala' classic from a fan's perspective. + Synopsis: An oft-repeated story is presented in a fresh manner. Rohit (Hritik Roshan) dreams of making it big as a singer and en route to success, he meets a rich girl Sonia (Amisha Patel), the daughter of a villainous man (Anupam Kher). The duo fall in love and the angry father refuses to unite the two lovers. Rohit witnesses a murder being committed and is knocked off by the bad guys. A heart-broken Sonia is packed off to New Zealand where she meets Rohit's look-alike, Raj. This upbeat version of Rohit has a 'with it' attitude. Raj falls in love with Sonia, who is plainly uninterested. He follows her to India and is spotted by the villains who get him on the run...

Khoon Pasina [1977] - Thoughts and Notes After Watching Rakesh Kumar's revenge drama, "Khoon Pasina" (1977). + Synopsis: An action - filled saga with undertones of national integration, the film tells of deep friendship between Hindu and Muslim families, living in a village. The Hindu lady (Nirupa Roy) adopts the Muslim child, Shera, when his parents are killed and brings him up with her own son, Shiva. Zalim Singh (Ranjeet), a cruel gangster burns down their house and Shera is left for dead. The boys grow up thinking the other is dead and Shiva (Amitabh Bachchan) becomes a Robin Hood- like thief, who robs the rich and helps the poor. He meets a beautiful dancer (Rekha) and they fall in love and Shiva decides to live a straight life. But he incurs the wrath of Zalim Singh, who sends a hired killer to eliminate Shiva. This killer is none other than Shera (Vinod Khanna) the long lost friend...

Mohabbatein (2000) (in progress) The circular 'whirlwind' of emotion - the use of circular motifs in "Mohabbatein".

Raaj Kumar (1964) Looking at the K. Shankar directed, Manmohan Desai written, parody of Bollywood mythologicals. + Synopsis: An ageing king (Prithviraj Kapoor) eagerly waits for the return of his son (Shammi Kapoor) from Europe where he had been sent to complete his education. But when the young prince returns, he finds a major palace intrigue brewing, involving the king's second wife (Manorama) and her brother (Pran), who plot to overthrow the king . The prince tries to foil the villains by pretending to be eccentric. He also falls in love with a tribal princess (Sadhana).

Sharmilee (1971) aka: Sharmeelee - The 'twin sister' story line in Bollywood entertainers. Looking at Sameer Ganguly's "Sharmilee". + Synopsis: There are twins (Raakhee) who are opposite in nature. One is full of zest while the other one is very silent and shy. Prospective grooms shy way from her. A dashing army officer (Shashi Kapoor) meets the vivacious one but marries the shy one by mistake. A change from the usual mistaken identities comedy that filmmakers come up with. This great entertainer has Raakhee in a double role.

Taal (1999) - Looking at Subhash Ghai's "Taal ...the beat of passion" (1999). "Taal" the movie in critical review and the making of Aishwarya Rai.

Waqt (1965) - "Waqt"/Time (1965) - Looking at Yash Chopra's aesthetic of 'glamorous realism'.

Zanjeer (1973) - looking at Parkash Mehra's film classic "Zanjeer".

+ The film synopsis on this page were taken from the film descriptions of IndoFilms.com